COAS General Asim Munir paid a visit to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House in Islamabad on Wednesday, and congratulated him on his assuming the Prime Minister office for the second term. This encounter marked their initial meeting since Shehbaz’s recent swearing-in ceremony.
Discussions during the meeting, which was the first since Shehbaz assumed office, primarily revolved around crucial matters concerning national security and the operational dynamics of the Pakistan Army, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Furthermore, the army chief conveyed his felicitations to the premier on his renewed tenure and offered his best wishes, according to the PMO statement. Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Shehbaz engaged with a delegation from the PPP led by Zardari, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party chairperson, also present. The PMO highlighted Zardari’s assurance of the PPP’s support for the new government’s endeavors aimed at fostering economic stability, development, and prosperity in the country.
Shehbaz secured victory in the prime ministerial election by obtaining 201 votes against his PTI-backed opponent, Omar Ayub Khan, on Sunday. His oath-taking ceremony took place on Monday at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where he was joined by services chiefs, government officials, senior politicians from coalition parties, and other dignitaries.
Army rejected claims of “interference in elections”
The preceding day saw the army’s senior officials convening for the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference at GHQ in Rawalpindi. They expressed discontent over accusations suggesting military interference in the electoral process, responding to concerns raised by political parties, including PTI, JUI-F, and Grand Democratic Party.
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The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a press release acknowledging the military’s role in ensuring a secure environment for the General Election 2024 while emphasizing their non-involvement in the electoral proceedings. The forum condemned attempts to spread misinformation and tarnish the reputation of the Pakistani Armed Forces, labeling such actions as regrettable and driven by narrow political interests.